Start a coating business
Turn coatings into a business.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or already run a powder shop, protective coatings can be a serious business. Here are the two main paths — and how to get help with either.
Two paths
Booth and oven, or spray rig?
Both can build a strong business. They suit different markets, budgets and ways of working.
Powder coating shop
A fixed shop with a blast room, a spray booth and a cure oven. Customers bring parts to you.
- Wheels, auto parts, furniture, fabrication
- Repeat production work from local businesses
- Needs a building, power and oven capacity
- Part size is limited by your oven
Spray polyurea business
A spray rig — often trailer-mounted — that goes to the job. Plural-component polyurea cures in seconds into a tough, flexible, seamless membrane.
- Truck beds, trailers, floors, tanks, roofs
- On-site work, so no oven-size limit
- Can run alongside an existing shop
- High-value commercial and industrial jobs
Getting help
Backed by a coatings manufacturer.
ArmorThane has manufactured polyurea and polyurethane protective coatings since 1989 and works with independent applicators around the world. If spray coatings are on your radar, we can connect you with their team to talk through equipment, training, products and support.
Visit ArmorThane- 01EquipmentSpray rigs and packages sized for the work you want to do.
- 02TrainingLearn surface prep, spraying and the systems for each application.
- 03ProductsCoatings for bedliners, floors, roofs, containment and more.
- 04SupportTechnical help and marketing resources once you’re up and running.
Let’s talk
Tell us where you’re headed.
Share a little about your plans and we’ll follow up to talk through the options, costs and next steps. No obligation.
- Starting fresh or adding to an existing shop
- Powder, polyurea or both
- Honest advice on what fits your market
FAQ
Business questions.
How much does it cost to start a coating business?
It varies widely with the path and scale — a powder shop needs a building, blast equipment, a booth and an oven, while a spray polyurea business centers on a spray rig and a vehicle or trailer. Tell us your plans and we will talk real numbers.
Do I need experience?
No, but training matters. Surface prep and application technique are what separate a profitable coating business from callbacks.
Can I add polyurea to my powder coating shop?
Yes. Many shops add spray-applied coatings to handle truck beds, trailers and anything too big for the oven — work they would otherwise turn away.